Bad Bunny: From Global Superstar to Academic Subject

Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known globally as Bad Bunny, has transcended the realm of music to become a significant cultural and political figure. Beyond his titles as a popular rapper-singer and Super Bowl halftime performer, Bad Bunny's résumé arguably includes poet, historian, and cultural critic. This multifaceted persona is why scholars nationwide are increasingly studying Bad Bunny, analyzing his profound cultural impact through race, gender, politics, and power.

The Rise of Bad Bunny in Academia

The inclusion of Bad Bunny in academic curricula signifies a shift in how popular culture is perceived and analyzed. Universities are recognizing the value of studying contemporary artists who not only entertain but also engage with critical social issues. Bad Bunny's work provides a lens through which students can explore complex topics such as colonialism, gentrification, and cultural identity.

"El Apagón": A Case Study

His 2022 music video “El Apagón” (“The Blackout”) exemplifies this intersection. Functioning as both a dance anthem and a protest piece, the 22-minute documentary within the video highlights gentrification, displacement, and colonialism in Puerto Rico, set against a backdrop of widespread power blackouts. With nearly 16 million views, "El Apagón" demonstrates how Bad Bunny uses his platform to address urgent realities in his native country.

University Courses Dedicated to Bad Bunny

Several universities have integrated Bad Bunny into their course offerings. These courses delve into his music, lyrics, and public persona to understand his impact on society.

University of Maryland: "Contemporary Puerto Rican Musicality"

At the University of Maryland, Professor Juan Carlos Quintero-Herencia includes Bad Bunny in his course “Contemporary Puerto Rican Musicality.” The course examines how music reflects and reshapes the Puerto Rican experience, spanning from 19th-century writers like Salvador Brau to lyricists like Tite Curet Alonso, and genres like bomba, plena, salsa, and reggaetón. Quintero-Herencia positions Bad Bunny within this broad historical and sonic context, encouraging students to view songs as cultural documents and performances as political acts.

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Wellesley College: "Bad Bunny: Race, Gender and Empire in Reggaeton"

Wellesley College was among the first institutions in the nation to offer a course specifically on Bad Bunny. Taught by Petra Rivera-Rideau, the course, titled "Bad Bunny: Race, Gender and Empire in Reggaeton," explores the historical context of colonialism and the current crises of gentrification in Puerto Rico. Rivera-Rideau notes that while the course may seem "fluffy on the surface," it is "actually pretty intense," attracting students from diverse backgrounds.

Why Bad Bunny Deserves a Place in the College Classroom

Several compelling reasons justify the academic study of Bad Bunny:

Bad Bunny as a Poet

Juan Carlos Quintero-Herencia considers Bad Bunny "the most consequential, most important contemporary poet in Puerto Rico today." His lyrics are studied as closely as traditional poetry or novels, challenging students to reconsider who shapes culture and what texts are worthy of study. According to Quintero-Herencia, “Bad Bunny is doing what any poet should do: launch a proposition that is embraced, read, discussed, enjoyed.”

Bringing Puerto Rico to the Global Stage

Bad Bunny consistently addresses critical issues facing Puerto Rico, from gentrification and displacement to economic and environmental sustainability. Quintero-Herencia notes, "He makes constant references to Puerto Rican history," allowing people worldwide to learn about these issues through his music rather than traditional academic or political channels.

Sticking to Spanish

Bad Bunny's choice to remain within Puerto Rican Spanish, rich with local slang, inventive rhythm, and cultural nuance, underscores the importance of language in preserving cultural memory, identity, and resistance. He has sold over 110 million albums worldwide without "crossing over" to English, proving that global success doesn't require linguistic compromise.

Challenging Conventions

In a genre often criticized for machismo, Bad Bunny challenges traditional expectations by embracing bold aesthetics, painting his nails, and wearing skirts. Quintero-Herencia views these actions as culturally significant performances, noting, "He’s the only reggaetonero to be so out there." His moments of dressing as a jíbaro, the rural folk archetype of Puerto Rican identity, further invoke a rich cultural imaginary.

Bridging Musical Traditions

Bad Bunny's music draws from decades of Afro-Caribbean sonic traditions, providing a way to engage with the long arc of Caribbean music, literature, and history. By situating Bad Bunny within a larger lineage, students understand reggaetón not as a rupture but as an evolution of Caribbean expression.

The Bad Bunny Syllabus: A Resource for Education

The Bad Bunny Syllabus is an online resource that provides educational materials to contextualize Bad Bunny’s work. It offers readings, podcasts, news articles, and videos on topics such as the Puerto Rican debt crisis, Hurricane María, the 2019 political protests, LGBTQ rights in Puerto Rico, and the role of Spanish in US mainstream media.

Contributions to the Syllabus

Scholars like Yahana Streeter have contributed to updating the syllabus with new sources, translating and annotating Bad Bunny lyrics, and creating an archive of online materials related to his latest album and residency in Puerto Rico. These annotations provide historical and cultural information to help educators and students interpret the lyrics.

The Bad Bunny Syllabus as a Book Project

The Bad Bunny Syllabus has also evolved into a book project, using Bad Bunny's career from 2016 through the release of Debí Tirar Más Fotos as a framework. This book, like the courses, aims to explore the complex historical and contemporary realities of Puerto Rico through the lens of Bad Bunny's artistry.

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Perspectives from Educators

Vanessa Diaz, Associate Professor of Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), teaches "Bad Bunny and Resistance in Puerto Rico." Her work focuses on hierarchies of labor as well as racial and gender politics in the production of celebrity-focused media.

Petra Rivera-Rideau, Associate Professor and Chair of American Studies at Wellesley College, is the author of Remixing Reggaeton: The Cultural Politics of Race in Puerto Rico and Fitness Fiesta! Selling Latinx Culture through Zumba. She frequently appears in popular media and has written for The Washington Post and PBS’s American Experience.

Addressing Contemporary Issues

Bad Bunny’s rise to global stardom has coincided with his increased attention to Puerto Rican politics. His dedication to centering Puerto Rico in his lyrics and music videos, his crossover success while singing only in Spanish, and his engagement with social issues like gentrification and LGBTQ rights make him a unique artistic focus for analyzing these matters.

Puerto Rico's Colonial Status

Puerto Rico has been a colony of the United States since 1898, with its politics and economy controlled by US corporate and political interests. Economic crises resulting from US policies have led to debt crises, austerity measures, increased cost of living, and gentrification. Natural disasters like Hurricane María have further exacerbated these problems.

Advocacy and Activism

Since 2016, Bad Bunny has consistently addressed issues impacting Puerto Rico, including LGBTQ rights, gender-based violence, the crisis in public education, political corruption, and Puerto Rican independence. His music has become part of the voice of a generation of Puerto Ricans acutely affected by recent environmental and economic crises.

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